About Us

Being a patriotic and almost retired person, in August 2010, a Germania Hall (Troy, NY) member and Florida snowbird thought I might be interested in a project she and others were doing in Florida. She worked with me on one flag, cutting and placing a Star and note into the little pouch. I am ever grateful for her showing me this project, as it has changed my life. I appreciate that Germania Hall allowed me to hold meetings at their facilities and collect flags as this adventure started

Stars for our Troops was started in Troy, NY by Susan Wells. Planning to do 4 flags of Stars, she created Stars for an Honor Flight to Washington DC on September 26, 2010. The Stars were in the veterans back pack, so she spoke about the Stars and the message that went with the Star. When she finished speaking to the veterans, she noticed a few of the Patriot Guard motorcycle riders were slowly approaching her. To not disrupt the ceremony, they asked, some with tears in their eyes for a Star. When the Honor Flight group had left, more of the riders came to me asking for a Star or one for themselves and one for someone else. We talked, gave hugs and wiped tears as the veterans received a Star. This was the Welcome Home they never received. Before we left the airport, flags were promised from a couple of the men and the name of a Girl Scout leader who was always looking for activities for her scouts. Stars for our Troops was born.

The adventure grew from there – support from many veteran, fraternity, community organizations locally. Some of my new friends introduced me to Girl and Boy Scout leaders, Kiwanis leaders and thus Key Club members, service orientated organizations and people wanting to volunteer for a good cause.

We have had a wonderful adventure over the past 14 years with so many new friends. We have helped a Navy ship mourn the loss of a pilot, given hope to those injured, a means for people to gather and talk while doing something that means so much, a memento at a funeral of a loved veteran, an Eagle Scout project for a young man with autism that now has his Eagle, something that makes distance shorter between a child and a parent serving overseas and the Stars continue spreading around the world.

Thank you to all that have participated in creating Stars at Star Parties, donated money for supplies and postage, collected flags, shared Stars and even those that forced me to research the cutting and desecration of the US Flag so I could verify that what was happening was not only proper but from our hearts.

Thank you to the organizations that allowed Stars for our Troops to appear at your events (and continue to participate), learning so much more about our veterans, our military, and so many organizations that are helping our veterans of today as they seek a better life.

Thank you to the Patriot Guard Riders and the other motorcycle organizations that educated me about protocol at flag lines, motorcycles, and riders. It is wonderful to see you honor someone by placing Stars on your vest, and sharing the Stars with others.

Flag Code and Stars for Our Troops

In June 14, 1923, the American Legion and 68 other patriotic organizations worked very hard to create the National Flag Code. It was a way to organize how to handle the American flag – display, when to fly, where to fly, how to fly, how to dispose, etc. At that time, the flag was created of natural material, and the local veteran organizations were local and would take your flag when it needed to be retired. It was either burned or buried.

Fast forward 80 years, the flags are now made of synthetic material that melts instead of burns, produces very toxic fumes when burned and the temperature of the fire needs to be excessive to turn the glob of plastic into ash, so it can be buried to follow the instructions of many retirement ceremonies.

Flags that are flying that are ripped, faded to almost white or made in another country are a disrespect to our flag, our county and our military.

The Stars for our Troops project takes a portion of this hightly honored flag, washes it so it is pure and gives it a new life for our veterans and for those currently serving, including First Responders

Requests are received directly from our military serving overseas, from Veteran Hospitals, Veteran Nursing Homes, Boy and Girl Scouts, church groups, schools, colleges, therapist helping with PTSD, commanders and generals currently serving, veteran organizations including the VFW and AL to get instructions so they can share the Stars as they see the difference in the lives that they reach.

This country is based on our freedoms and our ability to make our own decisions. Some organizations believe that they know what is right for themselves and for us. We always have the right to say NO, I will do it my way.

YOU have to decide whether you will do the Stars project or not. We honor you for making a decision.